Work

Mental health outcomes during colorectal cancer survivorship: a review of the literature

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This article reviews literature on adults' mental health outcomes during acute and long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) survivorship. METHODS: We identified articles that included at least one measure of psychological symptoms or mental quality of life or well-being through a search of databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PsycARTICLES). Articles were published between January 2004 and April 2015. RESULTS: A significant proportion of CRC survivors experience clinically meaningful levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms or reduced mental well-being across the trajectory of the illness. Demographic, medical, and psychosocial predictors of mental health outcomes were identified. However, few studies were theory-driven, and gaps remain in our understanding of risk and protective factors with respect to mental health outcomes, especially during long-term CRC survivorship. CONCLUSIONS: Theory-driven longitudinal research with larger samples is required to identify subgroups of CRC survivors with different trajectories of psychological adjustment. Such research would assess adjustment as a function of internal resources (e.g., personality and coping) and external resources (e.g., finances and social support) to inform future interventions for CRC survivors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Source: Psycho-Oncology

DOI: 10.1002/pon.3954

Authors: Catherine E. Mosher, Joseph G. Winger, Barbara A. Given, Paul R. Helft, Bert H. O'Neil

Institutions: Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Michigan State University, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana University School of Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Cancer survivorship and care

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Walther Cancer Foundation, National Cancer Institute